LANSING – The four winners of this year’s Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest were honored today at a ceremony at the State Capitol for their efforts to promote severe weather preparedness among youth.  The Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness chose this year’s winners from nearly 1,300 entries submitted by fourth and fifth grade students from 75 schools across the state. 

Daegan Debono of Lapeer won first place and received a $200 savings bond. The second place entry belonged to Madeline LaBelle of Warren, who was awarded a $100 savings bond. The third place winner was Alex House of Lapeer who won a $75 savings bond and honorable mention went to Madison McLean of Clarksville, who received a $50 savings bond.

The winners and their families joined committee members and representatives from the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD) at the recognition ceremony, held in the Rotunda of the State Capitol.

Following the ceremony, the students and their families received a personal tour of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), which is housed in the EMHSD at 4000 Collins Road in Lansing. The SEOC is the command center where state officials work in the event of an emergency or disaster such as a major tornado, flood or terrorist incident.

To help residents understand the risks associated with severe weather and provide information on how to protect themselves and their property, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm has proclaimed March 26 - April 1, 2006, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Michigan.

To view winning posters, log on to www.michigan.gov/emd and click on “Severe Weather Awareness” under the heading “INSIDE EMD.”

The Michigan Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, formed in 1991, works to improve the public's awareness of severe weather events in Michigan.  It provides educational information through a variety of activities to foster increased preparedness and protection from the effects of severe weather.  The committee is comprised of the following organizations: National Weather Service, Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, American Red Cross, Michigan Emergency Management Association, Michigan Association of Broadcasters WDIV-TV, Insurance Institute of Michigan, State Farm Insurance, Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association, and the Hamlin Township Fire Department.